Rising Memory Costs to Shrink 2026 Notebook Market, Apple Better Positioned Than Rivals [Report]

Apple looks set to handle a shrinking global laptop market better than many rivals next year, helped by its supply chain scale and a new entry-level notebook expected in the spring. A new report from TrendForce forecasts that global notebook shipments will decline 5.4 percent in 2026 as rising memory prices put pressure on manufacturers. Apple, however, appears less exposed to the downturn than some of its peers.



While many PC brands are expected to pull back on inventory to protect margins, Apple's large and consistent purchasing volume gives it more flexibility when component costs rise. The report points to similar dynamics in the smartphone market, where Apple is also expected to fare better than competitors as bill-of-materials costs increase.


As part of its response, the report highlights plans for a 12.9-inch Apple laptop arriving in early 2026. The entry-level model lines up with earlier rumors of a low-cost MacBook designed to compete with Chromebooks in the education and enterprise sectors. Despite broader market pressure, TrendForce suggests that competitive pricing could help the device find buyers where others might struggle.

The cost crunch is also hitting displays. Notebook panel shipments are forecast to drop nearly 8 percent next year, and the industry's shift toward OLED screens could slow as materials become more expensive. Apple has already kicked off its hardware refresh with the M5 MacBook Pro and is expected to extend the new chip across the rest of its portable lineup throughout the coming year.

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